2021/12/13
17. Two Witnesses
When
the voice spoke to the author John commanding to prophesy again (Revelation
10:11), he was given a staff-like measuring rod and told: "Rise and
measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not
measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to
the nations" (11:1-2). The word "staff" reminds us of
the Apostles because of the pastor's staff. The words "temple of God
and the altar" and "those who worship there" here
make us recall the scenes in Acts in which they appear. In addition, the
fourteen epistles of Paul, who became the apostle of the Gentiles, seem to be
also implied because the voice speaking says of the court outside the temple,
"[I]t is given over to the nations." These two books are taken
up in this chapter again and given the authority of prophecy and testimony
because some people had not given up worshipping idols, nor had they repented
of their murders or their sorceries or their immorality or their thefts even
after the sounding of the sixth trumpet (9:20-21). As the text says: "These
are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the Lord of
the earth" (11:4), the two books are personified as "two
witnesses" and compared to olive trees, from which pure oil is taken,
and lampstands, both of which are used to keep the light running because the
experiences and teachings of those who are involved in the evangelical mission
described in these books timelessly illuminate people who preach the gospel.
The two books were taken to heaven like a lamp is put on a lampstand. Their
foes also saw them going up to heaven (11:12). The trainees of Revelation will
soon know that "their foes" mentioned here are also foes of
their own. Revelation Chapter 11-12 is a bridge between the first half that
injects New Testament images into the trainee's memory and the second half that
settle the problem of the accidental information1, which is also called
a serpent, devil, and Satan. Those who continue to practice the daily training
of Revelation will spend the rest of their lives settling it, crossing this
bridge again and again.
Reference 1. This blog number 4
Maria K. M.
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